Earring clutch mechanism and safety shield

ABSTRACT

A clutch mechanism and a load distribution member for releasably gripping the pin of an earring is provided with a safety shied for preventing any earring post portion at the posterior side of the wearer&#39;s earlobe from coming into contact with the head and neck surface adjacent the earlobe to thereby prevent discomfiture or injury to the wearer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to earrings, and pertains more particularly to a clutch mechanism with an attached safety shield member.

[0002] Earrings for use in pierced earlobes are provided with a pin that is inserted by the user through the earlobe, the pin generally being sized so that a portion of the pin extends beyond the earlobe, the earring being secured at the earlobe posterior side with a clutch mechanism received on the pin side. Clutch mechanisms commonly used for this purpose have been of such size and design as to allow the tip end of the pin portion to extend beyond the clutch mechanism. Further, the shapes of the clutch mechanisms can be such as to present relatively sharp surfaces so that if the earlobe is pressed against the user's adjacent neck or head surfaces when holding a telephone receiver or sleeping and if the earrings are being worn, such sharp surfaces or a projecting pin tip end can be brought into discomforting or injury producing contact with such neck or head surfaces. The potential for undesirable discomforting contacts in this regard is increased with respect to younger children who are more likely to fail to remove their earrings when retiring, or who as children want to engage in play activities heightening the possibility of such discomforting or injurious contact occurring.

[0003] Several different types of clutch mechanisms have been devised and patented for the purpose of releaslby gripping the pin projecting from the ornamental part of the earring. Such clutch mechanisms are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,452, granted to Lynette M.Connelly on Dec. 23, 1986 FIG. 1, and to Michael Chernow U.S. Pat. No. 3,698,044, granted on Oct. 17, 972. Although the clutch mechanisms heretofore mentioned have performed quite well a couple of disadvantages are know.

[0004] A clutch mechanism designed with a feature to protect the wearer from accidental jabbing by the earring pin provided an option to eliminate one opening and merely have the pin of the earring terminate within the housing, rather than projecting through the housing reducing the likelihood of the pin accidentally sticking or jabbing the wearer. It has been found that for sanitation and health purposes, it is preferred to have the end of the pin project through the housing, as it is conceivable that bacterial deposits might tend to collect with in the housing, if the opening was not provided. Another disadvantage of the know prior art is the high probability of misplacement and loss of individual pieces when small and inconspicuous parts are detachable.

[0005] The present invention is especially intended for use in combination with the clutch mechanisms of said patent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention relates to a clutch mechanism for use with earrings of the type having a pin that passes through the user's earlobe. The portion of the pin extending beyond the posterior side of the earlobe is received in the clutch mechanism. The present invention provides that the clutch mechanism is designed to prevent an earring pin portion tip end from contacting the wearer's neck or head in the regions adjacent the earlobe thereby to protect the wearer from discomforting or injurious contact. Moreover, the safety shield itself is structured with a smooth contoured configuration to insure that it cause no undesirable result if pressed against the wearer's neck or head in the regions proximate the earlobe.

[0007] While varied attempts have been made to design jewelry items, and especially pierced earrings of this type, so as to improve reliability, versatility, durability, to the best of applicant's knowledge no completely satisfactory clutch mechanism has been devised which overcomes the disadvantages and short comings which exist in the know prior art.

[0008] Accordingly, one object of this present invention is to provide an improved clutch mechanism for use with jewelry pieces.

[0009] Another object is to design a clutch mechanism that will eliminate the likelihood of the end portion of the pin accidentally sticking or jabbing the wearer.

[0010] Yet another object is to design a clutch mechanism for pierced ears that substantially decrease the likely of bacterial deposits collection.

[0011] Further object is to design a clutch mechanism that is a unitary single piece structure.

[0012] Still further, an object of this invention is to present a clutch mechanism that is small, inconspicuous, aesthetically attractive and can be used with no difficulty.

[0013] The invention has for still an additional object the provision of a clutch mechanism that will be very inexpensive to manufacture, thereby encouraging its widespread purchase and use.

[0014] In general, the invention comprises a clutch mechanism, which includes a housing having a somewhat flexible and resilient insert positioned therein so that it is enclosed or surrounded by the housing. The insert is provided with a passage there through, both ends is provided with an aperture or opening which is aligned with respect to the passage to form a channel in the clutch mechanism. A jewelry piece, having an elongated pin with a slightly larger cross-sectional size than the passage in the insert, is releasably gripped by the clutch mechanism, by inserting the pin into the channel. A load distribution member is mounted to the larger end of the housing. A flange extends outwardly from the end wall with a centrally disposed aperture or opening on the front side of the load distribution member. The load distribution member provides a much greater surface that actually contacts the ear lobe than that heretofore provided by just the clutch mechanism. The load distribution member serves to decrease the pressure on the earlobe when a large earring is worn The housing is designed in such a manner that one of its ends forms a knob so that the user can readily grasp the housing. The present invention further includes a safety shield disposed at the smaller end of the housing arrange transversely to the axis of the passage having a slightly broader area relative to the expanse of the passage. The shield is of parti-hollow spheroid configuration, the convex surface faces away from the smaller end of the housing. The pin extends beyond the second aperture to nest in the shield whereby eliminating contact with the wearer's skin preventing discomfort and or injury. The nesting location for the pin serves to substantially decrease the likelihood of bacterial deposits collection in the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0015]FIG. 1 Prior Art U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,452.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the clutch mechanism with the pin inserted into housing.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the clutch mechanism with the pin outside of the clutch mechanism.

[0018]FIG. 4 is a partial exploded view showing the pin nested in the shield.

[0019]FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the earring pin extending through the pierced earlobe and inserted into the clutch mechanism.

[0020]FIG. 6 is exploded perspective view of the clutch mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] The present invention relates to a clutch mechanism for use with earrings of the type worn by users with pierced ears. The clutch mechanism embodies features, which make it a safety device to protect the user from injury, discomfort or annoyance as could be caused by contact to the user's head or neck with the tip end portion of an earring pin. It is particularly advantageous for use by children wearing earrings of the pierced ear type. Additionally it is of smooth, clean configuration and is attractive in appearance.

[0022] In order to illustrate my invention FIG. 5 a load distribution member 50 nest abuttedly against the wear's earlobe 12 posterior in use. Centrally disposed on an end wall 58 of the load distribution member 50 is an opening 60 that enables the pin 22 to pass there through when it is being inserted into the clutch mechanism 26. For reception of the pin 22 the clutch mechanism 26 includes a passage 14. Positioned at the tip end of the housing 28 is a second opening or aperture 40. The pin 22 is first threaded through the centrally disposed aperture 60 and then successively through the second aperture 40 of the housing 28. The tip end of the pin 22 extends beyond the second aperture 40 and nest in a shield 66. FIG. 4 The shield 66 is of parti-hollow spheroid configuration and serves to protect the wearer from coming into contact with the tip end of the earring pin 22 whereby preventing the potential for undesirable discomfort.

[0023] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout several views. FIG. 5 A person's ear10 has been shown having the earlobe 12 that has been pierced to provide the passage14. The earring has been assigned the reference numeral 18, being comprised of a decorative member 20 having an end portion of the conventional pin 22 anchored therein at 24 so that it's other end extends or projects away from the decorative member 20.

[0024]FIG. 3 The clutch mechanism 26 for securing a jewelry piece such as the pierced earring 18 provides a substantially circular cross-sectional shape housing 28 which varies in size at different points along it longitudinal axis. The clutch mechanism 26 includes a knob 30 positioned at the smaller end of the housing 28. The housing 28 is indented at 32 so that the housing 28 can be conveniently grasped between a person's fingers.

[0025] There is the second predetermined aperture or opening 40 at the small end of the housing 28 and the predetermine aperture or opening 60 FIG. 6 centrally disposed at the end wall 58 of the load distribution member 50. Contained within the housing 28 is a resilient insert 44 having a longitudinal bore 46 extending there through, the bore 46 having a cross section slightly less than that of the elongated pin 22. The pin 22 is introduced first through the centrally disposed opening or aperture 60 then through the bore 46, and finally through the second aperture or opening 40. While the insert 44 is relatively flexible in nature, it is preferably formed of a relatively hard material so that it exerts a rather firm gripping or frictional force around the pin 22.

[0026] While precise dimensions are not critical to the practicing of my invention, nonetheless it should be made clear that the right side of the load distribution member 50 provides a considerable surface area that confronts the inner side of the ear lobe 12. In other words, the right side of the closed end wall 58, as viewed in FIG. 5 is co-planar with the right side of a flange 62. The load distribution member 50 is mounted to the larger end of the housing 28. The opening or aperture 60 is centrally disposed on the right side of the load distribution member 50 and includes the radially directed flange 62 and a circular outer edge 64.

[0027] The shield member 66 is mounted to the smaller end of the housing 28 is arranged transversely to the axis of the passage14 and has a slightly broader area relative to the expanse of the passage 14. The shield is of parti-hollow spheroid configuration, the convex surface of which faces away from the smaller end of the housing 28.

[0028] The clutch mechanism 26, the load distribution member 50, and the shield 66 are all molded as one piece. The single unitary piece structure is beneficial and advantageous whereby significantly decreasing the possibility of misplacement or loss of individual parts once they have been disengaged. Attached parts will serve to prolong the retainabilitiy and usage of the item. The material used is susceptible to variation, but it is planned that the unitary single piece structure be fabricated from polyethylene plastic, polyethylene having resilient and yieldable characteristic particularly suitable for use in the situation described. 

I therefore claim:
 1. A clutch mechanism for use with earrings of the type having a pin adapted to pass through the user's earlobe with a portion of the pin extending beyond the posterior surface of the earlobe when the earring is worn, said clutch mechanism comprising: A circular cross sectional shape housing which varies in size at different points along its longitudinal axis, a load distribution member, and a parti-hollow spheroid configuration safety shield. Said circular cross sectional shape housing which varies in size at different points along its longitudinal axis of claim 1 further includes a resilient insert that exerts a rather firm griping or frictional force around said pin and is positioned therein that it is enclosed or surrounded by said housing a longitudinal bore extends there through and has a cross section slightly less than that of said pin an indentation is positioned at smaller end of said housing connecting to a knob allowing the wearer to conveniently grip said housing said pin is introduced through centrally disposed aperture then through said bore and finally through second aperture. Said load distribution member of claim 1 mounted to the larger end of said housing comprising said centrally disposed aperture on the end wall of said load distribution member which serves to receive said pin of said earring said end wall confronts the inner side of said earlobe and is co-planar with a radially directed flange said flange has a circular outer edge confronting a greater surface portion of said pierced earlobe than would be confronted by only that of said clutch mechanism whereby distributing the force or load so that the pressure per unit is reduced increasing the comfort level to wearer. Said part-hollow spheroid configuration safety shield of claim 1 is mounted to said smaller end of housing arranged transversely to the axis of said passage is slightly broader than the expanse of said passage with convex surface facing away from said smaller end of said housing said pin extends beyond said second aperture and nest in said shield whereby preventing said pin at posterior side of said earlobe from coming into contact with the head and neck surface adjacent said earlobe thereby preventing discomfiture or injury to the wearer. 